Imaging apparatus, imaging control method and storage medium

ABSTRACT

In the present invention, when a user operation (shutter button depression) for instructing to start still image recording or a user operation (REC button depression) for instructing to start moving image recording is performed and detected at recording timing in interval shooting, a CPU records a still image or a moving image by an imaging section based on the user operation, without temporarily stopping the recording for the interval shooting. In addition, the CPU stores, in an external memory, a still image or a moving image recorded by the interval shooting and the still image or the moving image recorded by the detection of the user&#39;s instruction operation such that they can be managed to be usable as material for the interval shooting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-010126, filed Jan. 23,2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, an imagingcontrol method and a storage medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

As described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai)Publication No. 2005-286551, an imaging apparatus having an intervalshooting function is conventionally known.

This interval shooting function, which is commonly used for the purposeof prolonged observation or monitoring, is generally configured tocontinue until “some conditions” are satisfied.

The “some conditions” herein include a condition that the image memoryis full and further imaging operations cannot be performed and acondition that the interval shooting function has been canceled by anexternal operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an imaging apparatus comprising: an imaging section; a firstacquiring section which repeatedly acquires an image by driving theimaging section at preset timing; a second acquiring section whichacquires an image by driving the imaging section by receiving aninstruction at arbitrary timing, while maintaining acquisitionprocessing by the first acquiring section; a storing section whichstores the image acquired by the first acquiring section and the imageacquired by the second acquiring section; a judging section which judgeswhether the arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide with eachother; and a controlling section which controls at least one of imagingby the imaging section and storing of the image in the storing section,based on a judgment result by the judging section.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image controlling method for an imaging apparatus includingan imaging section, comprising: a first acquiring step of repeatedlyacquiring an image by driving the imaging section at preset timing; asecond acquiring step of acquiring an image by driving the imagingsection by receiving an instruction at arbitrary timing, whilemaintaining acquisition processing in the first acquiring step; astoring step of storing the image acquired in the first acquiring stepand the image acquired in the second acquiring step; a judging step ofjudging whether the arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide witheach other; and a controlling step of controlling at least one ofimaging by the imaging section and storing of the image, based on ajudgment result in the judging step.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having storedthereon a program that is executable by a computer in an imagingapparatus including an imaging section, the program being executable bythe computer to perform functions comprising: first acquisitionprocessing for repeatedly acquiring an image by driving the imagingsection at preset timing; second acquisition processing for acquiring animage by driving the imaging section by receiving an instruction atarbitrary timing, while maintaining the first acquisition processing;storing processing for storing the image acquired in the firstacquisition processing and the image acquired in the second acquisitionprocessing; judgment processing for judging whether the arbitrary timingand the preset timing coincide with each other; and control processingfor controlling at least one of imaging by the imaging section and thestoring processing, based on a judgment result in the judgmentprocessing.

The above and further objects and novel features of the presentinvention will more fully appear from the following detailed descriptionwhen the same is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Itis to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for thepurpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of thelimits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an imaging apparatus1 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for describing operations in interval shooting bythe imaging apparatus 1 of the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is also a flowchart for describing operations in intervalshooting by the imaging apparatus 1 of the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is also a flowchart for describing operations in intervalshooting by the imaging apparatus 1 of the embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing operations in moving/still imageauto-switch interval shooting;

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the folderstructure of an external memory 18 for the imaging apparatus 1 of theembodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a playback operation by the imagingapparatus 1 of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will hereinafter be describedwith reference to the drawings.

A. Structure of Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of an imaging apparatus1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, ahead-mounted imaging apparatus 1 includes a communication controlsection 10, an imaging section 11, an image processing section 14, anacceleration sensor 15, an infrared sensor 16, a GPS (Global PositioningSystem) circuit 17, an external memory 18, a flash memory 19, a SDRAM(Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 20, a CPU (Central ProcessingUnit) 21, a key operation section 22, a voice control section 23, aloudspeaker 24, a microphone 25, a power source (battery) 26, and apower supply control section 27.

The communication control section 10 transfers captured image data(still images or moving images) to a server on the Internet, or to aninformation processing device such as a personal computer via theInternet, etc.

This communication control section 10 can also transfer a live viewimage or images being recorded to an external replay/display apparatusvia peer-to-peer communications.

The imaging section 11 includes a lens block 12 constituted by anoptical lens group and an image sensor 13 such as a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice) or CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor).

The image sensor 13 converts an image entering from the lens block 12 toa digital signal.

The image processing section 14 performs image processing (such as pixelinterpolation processing, correction, luminance color-difference signalgeneration, white balance Processing, and exposure correctionprocessing) and compression and expansion of image data (for example,compression and expansion of a JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)format, Motion-JPEG format, or MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)format).

The acceleration sensor 15 detects the movement of the imaging apparatus1 which is made in conjunction with the movement of a user's head.

The CPU 21 judges whether the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixed (with atripod) or handheld and determines the degree of camera shake from adetection result of the acceleration sensor 15.

The infrared sensor 16 detects the movement of a photographic subject.

The CPU 21 detects the movement of a photographic subject from imagescaptured by the image sensor 13 or a detection result of the infraredsensor 16.

The GPS circuit 17 acquires the positional information of thehead-mounted imaging apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, positional information acquired by the GPS circuit17 is used to, for example, determine imaging timing for intervalshooting.

The external memory 18 is a removable storage medium, and stores imagedata captured by the imaging section 11 and the like.

The flash memory 19 is a storage medium for storing image data capturedby the imaging section 11 and the like.

The SDRAM 20 is used as a buffer memory for temporarily storing imagedata captured by the imaging section 11 and sent to the CPU 21, and isalso used as a working memory for the CPU 21.

The CPU 21 is a one-chip microcomputer for controlling each section ofthe head-mounted imaging apparatus 1.

In interval shooting, the CPU 21 switches between still imagephotographing and moving image capturing by interval triggers atpredetermined timing, according to the occurrence conditions of motionblur and camera shake.

In particular, in the present embodiment, when a user operation (shutterbutton depression) for instructing to start still image recording or auser operation (REC button depression) for instructing to start movingimage recording is performed and detected while interval shooting isbeing performed, the CPU 21 starts still image photographing or movingimage capturing in accordance with the user operation, withouttemporarily stopping the interval shooting.

If the detection timing at which a user operation (shutter buttondepression) for instructing to start still image recording or a useroperation (REC button depression) for instructing to start moving imagerecording is detected coincides with interval shooting timing, a stillimage or a moving image recorded in response to the user's instructionoperation is stored in a normal imaging manner, and also stored to beusable as material for the interval shooting.

Specifically, in the normal imaging, images are stored in a normalfolder in the external memory 18. In the case where images are used asmaterial for interval shooting, they are stored in a folder for intervalshooting in the external memory 18.

Also, when selectively switching between still image photographing andmoving image capturing according to the occurrence conditions of motionblur and camera shake, the CPU 21 judges whether the imaging apparatus 1has been fixed with a tripod or the like or been handheld by the user,or in other words, in a state which has not been fixed with a tripod orthe like, from a detection result of the acceleration sensor 15.

In addition, the CPU 21 judges the degree of camera shake from adetection result of the acceleration sensor 15.

Moreover, the CPU 21 judges whether the photographic subject is movingor standing still from a comparison result between the frames of imagescaptured by the image sensor 13 or a detection result of the infraredsensor 16.

Then, the CPU 21 selects a moving image (such as a short video of fiveseconds) or a still image (high sensitivity/high-speed shutter) ascontents to be imaged and recorded in the interval shooting, based onwhether or not the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixed with a tripod orthe like, the degree of the camera shake of the imaging apparatus 1, andwhether the photographic subject is moving or standing still, and thencontrols to perform processing therefor.

In still image photographing and recording, the CPU 21 photographs andrecords a less blurred image by changing imaging conditions (highsensitivity/high-speed shutter).

The key operating section 22 inputs an operation mode or an operationinstruction for starting, pausing, or stopping image capturing inresponse to a touch operation from a user.

The audio control section 23 converts audio (such as alarm sound) at thetime of the playback of captured moving images to an analog signal andoutputs it from the loudspeaker 24, under the control of the CPU 21.Also, the audio control section 23 digitalizes and capturesenvironmental sound collected by the microphone 25 in moving imagecapturing. The power supply (battery) 26 is a rechargeable secondarybattery.

The power supply control section 27 stabilizes the output voltage of thepower supply (battery) 26, and supplies driving electric power to eachsection.

B. Operation of Embodiment

Next, the operation of the present embodiment is described.

FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 are flowcharts for describing operations in intervalshooting by the imaging apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

When an interval shooting mode is set in the imaging apparatus 1, thetiming of interval shooting comes by the trigger of interval shootingoccurring at predetermined timing.

As this trigger, time intervals (for example, every five minutes) ordistance intervals (for example, every one kilometer) acquired from GPSinformation may be used.

In addition, various triggers for automatic shooting may be used, suchas a trigger that occurs when the imaging apparatus 1 is judged to bepositioned in a specified area by use of GPS information, or a triggerthat occurs when a signal is received from a communication device in anexternal device.

In the interval shooting mode, the CPU 21 first judges whether a useroperation (shutter button depression) for instructing to start stillimage recording has been detected (Step S10).

Subsequently, when judged that a user operation (shutter buttondepression) for instructing to start still image recording has beendetected in the interval shooting mode (YES at Step S10), the CPU 21judges whether this operation has been detected during recording relatedto interval shooting, or in other words, judges whether the timing ofthe detection of the user operation (shutter button depression) forinstructing to start still image recording coincides with recordingtiming related to interval shooting (Step S12).

Then, when judged that the timing of the detection of the instructionoperation (shutter button depression) coincides with recording timingrelated to interval shooting (YES at Step S12), the CPU 21 controls theimaging section 11 to perform normal still image photographing undercurrently set imaging conditions (Step S14).

Next, the CPU 21 stores a photographed still image in the normal folderin the external memory 18 (Step S16).

Then, the CPU 21 reduces the size of the photographed still image to asize set for interval shooting, such as a size of about 2 megabytes(Step S18), and stores the reduced still image in the folder forinterval shooting in the external memory 18 (Step S20).

That is, in the interval shooting mode, when it is judged that a useroperation (shutter button depression) for instructing to start stillimage recording coincides with recording timing related to intervalshooting, imaging processing is set such that normal still imagephotographing is performed.

Then, after the photographing, a photographed still image is stored inthe normal folder, and an image acquired by the photographed still imagebeing reduced to a size of about 2 megabytes set for interval shootingis stored in the folder for interval shooting in the external memory 18as material for interval shooting.

At Step S12, when judged that the timing of the detection of theinstruction operation (shutter button depression) does not coincide withrecording timing related to interval shooting (NO at Step S12), the CPU21 controls the imaging section 11 to perform still image photographingunder current imaging conditions set for normal still image recording(Step S22), and stores a photographed still image in the normal folderin the external memory 18 (Step S24).

That is, when a user operation (shutter button depression) forinstructing to start still image recording is performed at timing otherthan recording timing related to interval shooting, a photographed stillimage is stored in the normal folder in the external memory 18 in anormal imaging manner.

After Steps S20 and S24, the CPU 21 judges whether a user operation forending the interval shooting has been performed (Step S26).

Then, when judged that an operation for ending the interval shooting hasnot been performed (NO at Step S26), the CPU 21 returns to Step S10.

At Step S10, when judged that a user operation (shutter buttondepression) for instructing to start still image recording has not beendetected in the interval shooting mode (NO at Step S10), the CPU 21judges whether a user operation (REC button depression) for instructingto start moving image recording has been detected (Step S28).

Then, when judged that a user operation (REC button depression) forinstructing to start moving image recording has been detected in theinterval shooting mode (YES at Step S28), the CPU 21 judges whetherrecording related to interval shooting is being performed, or in otherwords, judges whether the timing of the detection of the user operation(REC button depression) for instructing to start moving image recordingcoincides with recording timing related to interval shooting (Step S30).

Then, when judged that the timing of the detection of the user operation(REC button depression) for instructing to start moving image recordingcoincides with recording timing related to interval shooting (YES atStep S30), the CPU 21 performs moving/still image auto-switch intervalshooting (Step S32).

This moving/still image auto-switch interval shooting is processingwhere a still image or a moving image having a predetermined time lengthis selectively captured according to the occurrence conditions of motionblur and camera shake.

Then, the CPU 21 stores a captured still image or moving image in thefolder for interval shooting in the external memory 18 (Step S34). Inaddition, the CPU 21 stores the recorded still image or moving image inthe normal folder in the external memory 18 (Step S36).

That is, in the interval shooting mode, when it is judged that thetiming of the detection of a user operation (REC button depression) forinstructing to start moving image recording coincides with recordingtiming related to interval shooting, a recorded still image or movingimage is stored in the folder for interval shooting in the externalmemory 18 as material for interval shooting, and also stored in thenormal folder in the external memory 18 as in the case of a normalmoving image.

At Step S30, when judged that the timing of the detection of the useroperation (REC button depression) for instructing to start moving imagerecording does not coincide with recording timing related to intervalshooting (NO at Step S30), the CPU 21 controls the imaging section 11 toperform moving image capturing under currently set imaging conditions(Step S38), and stores a captured moving image in the normal folder inthe external memory 18 (Step S40).

That is, when a user operation (REC button depression) for instructingto start moving image recording is performed at timing other thanrecording timing related to interval shooting, a captured moving imageis stored in the normal folder in the external memory 18 in a normalimaging manner.

After Steps S36 and S40, the CPU 21 judges whether a user operation forending the interval shooting has been performed (Step S26 in FIG. 2).Then, when judged that an operation for ending the interval shooting hasnot been performed (NO at Step S26), the CPU 21 returns to Step S10.

At Step S28, when judged that a user operation (REC button depression)for instructing to start moving image recording has not been detected inthe interval shooting mode (NO at Step S28), the CPU 21 judges whetheran interval trigger for automatic shooting has been detected (Step S42).

Then, when judged that an interval trigger for automatic shooting hasbeen detected (YES at Step S42), the CPU 21 performs moving/still imageauto-switch interval shooting (Step S44).

Next, the CPU 21 stores a captured still image or short movie in thefolder for interval shooting in the external memory 18 (Step S46).

That is, in the interval shooting mode, when an interval trigger isdetected, or in other words, when the timing of interval shooting comes,a captured still image or short movie is stored in the folder forinterval shooting in the external memory 18 as material for intervalshooting.

Then, the CPU 21 judges whether a user operation for ending the intervalshooting has been performed (Step S26 in FIG. 2).

When judged that an operation for ending the interval shooting has notbeen performed (NO at Step S26), the CPU 21 returns to Step S10.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for describing operations in the moving/stillimage auto-switch interval shooting of the present embodiment.

First, the CPU 21 judges whether the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixedwith a tripod or the like or been handheld by the user, or in otherwords, judges whether or not the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixed witha tripod or the like, based on information from the acceleration sensor15 (Step S50).

When judged that the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixed with a tripod orthe like (YES at Step S50), the CPU 21 judges whether a photographicsubject (target to be imaged) is moving from images captured by theimage sensor 13 or a detection result of the infrared sensor 16 (StepS54).

Specifically, when the value of the movement of the photographic subjectis equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold value (secondthreshold value), the CPU 21 judges that the photographic subject ismoving. Conversely, when the value of the movement of the photographicsubject is less than the predetermined threshold value (second thresholdvalue), the CPU 21 judges that the photographic subject is not moving,or in other words, standing still.

At Step S54, when judged that the photographic subject is moving (YES atStep S54), the CPU 21 controls the imaging section 11 to perform imagecapturing for five seconds, and stores image contents acquired by thisfive-second image capturing as a moving image (Step S56).

By image capturing and recording being performed in this way, a movingimage corresponding to the movement of the photographic subject can becaptured with less camera shake and recorded.

Then, the CPU 21 returns to the main routine.

At Step S50 and Step S54, when judged that the imaging apparatus 1 hasbeen fixed with a tripod or the like (YES at Step S50) and thephotographic subject is not moving (NO at Step S54), the CPU 21 sets, asan imaging condition, a sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity ora shutter speed faster than a normal shutter speed, and stores an imagecaptured with this setting by the imaging section 11 as a still image(Step S58).

By image capturing and recording being performed in this way, anunblurred still image can be stored.

Then, the CPU 21 returns to the main routine.

At Step S50, when judged that the imaging apparatus 1 has been handheldby the user, or in other words, the imaging apparatus 1 has not beenfixed with a tripod or the like (NO at Step S50), the CPU 21 judgeswhether the degree of camera shake being applied to the imagingapparatus 1 is less than a predetermined threshold value (firstthreshold value) from a detection result of the acceleration sensor 15(Step S52).

Then, when judged that the degree of the camera shake being applied tothe imaging apparatus 1 is less than the predetermined threshold value(first threshold value) (YES at Step S52), the CPU 21 judges whether thephotographic subject is moving from images captured by the image sensor13 or a detection result of the infrared sensor 16 (Step S54).

When judged that the photographic subject is moving (YES at Step S54),the CPU 21 controls the imaging section 11 to perform image capturingfor five seconds, and stores image contents acquired by this five-secondimage capturing as a moving image (Step S56).

That is, a moving image corresponding to the movement of thephotographic subject is captured with less camera shake and recorded.Then, the CPU 21 returns to the main routine.

At Step S52 and Step S54, when judged that the degree of the camerashake being applied to the imaging apparatus 1 is less than thepredetermined threshold value (first threshold value) (YES at Step S52)and the photographic subject is standing still (NO at Step S54), the CPU21 sets, as an imaging condition, a sensitivity higher than a normalsensitivity or a shutter speed faster than a normal shutter speed, andstores an image captured with this setting by the imaging section 11 asa still image (Step S18).

That is, an unblurred still image is stored. Then, the CPU 21 returns tothe main routine.

At Step S50 and Step S52, when judged that the imaging apparatus 1 hasbeen handheld by the user, or in other words, the imaging apparatus 1has not been fixed with a tripod or the like (NO at Step S50) and thedegree of the camera shake being applied to the imaging apparatus 1 isequal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value (firstthreshold value) (NO at Step S52), the CPU 21 sets, as an imagingcondition, a sensitivity higher than a normal sensitivity or a shutterspeed faster than a normal shutter speed, and stores an image capturedwith this setting by the imaging section 11 as a still image (Step S58).

That is, an unblurred still image is stored. Then, the CPU 21 returns tothe main routine.

Note that, when the imaging apparatus 1 has been fixed with a tripod orthe like, camera shake does not easily occur, and therefore eithermoving image capturing or still image photographing is performed basedon the movement of the photographic subject.

Here, when the photographic subject is moving, since camera shake doesnot occur and a varied scene can be captured, moving image capturing isperformed.

On the other hand, when the photographic subject is not moving, stillimage photographing is performed because an unvaried scene is capturedeven if moving image capturing is performed.

Also, when the imaging apparatus 1 has been handheld by the user, eithermoving image capturing or still image photographing is performed withreference to a predetermined acceptable range for the camera shake ofthe imaging apparatus 1.

When the degree of the camera shake is out of the predeterminedacceptable range, still image photographing is performed.

Here, high-speed shutter imaging is performed with a high sensitivity.That is, still image photographing that avoids image blurring as much aspossible is performed.

By this operation, moving images that cause visually induced motionsickness due to substantial motion blur or panning of the imagingapparatus 1 can be avoided.

When the degree of the camera shake is within the predeterminedacceptable range, since the degree of the camera shake of the imagingapparatus 1 is low, moving image capturing is performed.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the folderstructure of the external memory 18 for the imaging apparatus 1 of thepresent embodiment.

The external memory 18 is first formatted when it is used, and then afolder structure such as that shown in FIG. 6 is created.

That is, in the external memory 18, a directory named “DCIM” is createdas a root directory for storing photographed still images and capturedmoving images, and directories named “100NORMAL” and “102INTER”respectively are created as subdirectories.

In the example of the diagram, the directory “100NORMAL” is used as anormal directory, and the directory “102INTER” is used as a directoryfor interval shooting.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for describing a playback operation by the imagingapparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

At the time of playback, the CPU 21 judges whether the user hasperformed an operation for creating a video by combining still imagesand moving images (Step S60).

Then, when judged that the user has performed an operation for creatinga video by combining still images and moving images (YES at Step S60),the CPU 21 combines short moving images and still images in the folderfor interval shooting in the external memory 18, stores them as a movingimage file (Step S62), and replays this moving image file (Step S64).

Conversely, when judged that the user has not performed an operation forcreating a video by combining still images and moving images (NO at StepS60), the CPU 21 judges whether the user has performed an operation forperforming slide show playback or frame-by-frame playback (Step S66).

When judged that the user has performed an operation for performingslide show playback or frame-by-frame playback (YES at Step S66), theCPU 21 judges whether this operation is an instruction to replay onlyimages captured by the user (Step S68).

Then, when judged that this operation is an instruction to replay onlyimages captured by the user (YES at Step S68), the CPU 21 replays movingimages and still images in the normal folder in the external memory 18in order (Step S70).

Conversely, when judged that this operation is not an instruction toreplay only images captured by the user (NO at Step S68), the CPU 21replays moving images and still images in the folder for intervalshooting in the external memory 18 in order (Step S72).

Then, when any of the above-described Steps S64, S70 or S72 iscompleted, or when judged at Step S66 that the user has not performed anoperation for performing slide show playback or frame-by-frame playback,the CPU 21 judges whether the user has performed an operation for endingthe playback (Step S74).

When judged that the user has not performed an operation for ending theplayback (NO at Step S74), the CPU 21 returns to Step S60, and repeatsthe above-described processing.

Conversely, when judged that the user has performed an operation forending the playback (YES at Step S74), the CPU 21 ends the processing.

Note that, when being replayed, the moving images and still images aredisplayed on a display section (not shown) included in the imagingapparatus 1, an external display section connected thereto by a cable orthe like, or an external device having a display section (such as adedicated display device, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal) wirelesslyconnected to the communication control section 10.

In the present embodiment, still images and moving images recorded inthe normal shooting mode and still images and moving images recorded inthe interval shooting mode are stored and managed in differentdirectories. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, anda configuration may be adopted in which identification informationindicating the type of shooting mode used in imaging and recording isadded to the header information of each recorded still image and movingimage so that each image is associated with the shooting mode used torecord it, and the still images and the moving images recorded in therespective shooting modes are stored in the same folder without beingsorted into different folders.

By this configuration, an unnecessary increase of subfolders can beprevented.

In the above-described present embodiment, even if a user operation(shutter button depression) for instructing to start still imagerecording or a user operation (REC button depression) for instructing tostart moving image recording is detected at recording timing in theinterval shooting mode, a still image or a moving image based on theuser's instruction operation is recorded by the imaging section 11without the recording for the interval shooting being temporarilystopped. Then, the still image or the moving image recorded based on theuser's instruction and a still image or a moving image recorded by theinterval shooting are stored by being sorted into different folders, andmanaged. As a result of this configuration, a periodic imaging functioncan be continued without impairing user-friendliness.

Also, in the above-described present embodiment, even when recordingtiming related to interval shooting and the timing of a user operationfor instructing to start recording do not coincide with each other, astill image or a moving image recorded by the interval shooting and astill image or a moving image recorded by the user's instructionoperation are stored by being sorted into different folders, andmanaged. As a result of this configuration, a periodic imaging functioncan be continued without impairing user-friendliness.

Moreover, in the above-described present embodiment, when a useroperation (shutter button depression) for instructing to start stillimage recording or a user operation (REC button depression) forinstructing to start moving image recording is detected at recordingtiming in the interval shooting mode, a still image or a moving imagecaptured by the user operation is stored and managed as a still image ora moving image acquired by interval shooting, so that they can be usedas material for interval shooting.

Furthermore, in the above-described present embodiment, when a useroperation (shutter button depression) for instructing to start stillimage recording or a user operation (REC button depression) forinstructing to start moving image recording is detected at recordingtiming in the interval shooting mode, a still image or a moving imagesuitable for the interval shooting is generated from a still image or amoving image recorded by the user's instruction operation, which can beused as material for the interval shooting without a sense ofincongruity.

Still further, in the above-described present embodiment, whether astill image or a moving image recorded by interval shooting and a stillimage or a moving image recorded by the user's instruction operation areseparately outputted to be replayed or collectively outputted to bereplayed can be selected. As a result of this configuration, whenreplaying images, the user can select whether to include manuallycaptured images.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments, it is intended that the invention be not limitedby any of the details of the description therein but includes all theembodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An imaging apparatus comprising: an imagingsection; a first acquiring section which repeatedly acquires an image bydriving the imaging section at preset timing; a second acquiring sectionwhich acquires an image by driving the imaging section by receiving aninstruction at arbitrary timing, while maintaining acquisitionprocessing by the first acquiring section; a storing section whichstores the image acquired by the first acquiring section and the imageacquired by the second acquiring section; a judging section which judgeswhether the arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide with eachother; and a controlling section which controls at least one of imagingby the imaging section and storing of the image in the storing section,based on a judgment result by the judging section.
 2. The imagingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storing section managesimages based on which of the first acquiring section and the secondacquiring section the images have been acquired by.
 3. The imagingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the storing section stores theimage acquired by the first acquiring section and the image acquired bythe second acquiring section such that images are managed in a manner tobe identifiable as to which acquiring section the images have beenacquired by, when the judging section judges that the arbitrary timingand the preset timing do not to coincide with each other.
 4. The imagingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controlling section controlsthe storing section to manage the image acquired by the second acquiringsection as an image acquired by the first acquiring section, when thejudging section judges that the arbitrary timing and the preset timingcoincide with each other.
 5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the controlling section controls the storing section to managethe image acquired by the second acquiring section as an image acquiredby the second acquiring section, when the judging section judges thatthe arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide with each other. 6.The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control section(i) controls the imaging section such that the first acquiring sectionacquires an image under a condition for acquisition at the preset timingand the second acquiring section acquires an image under a condition foracquisition at the arbitrary timing, (ii) generates an image satisfyingthe condition for acquisition at the preset timing from the imageacquired by the second acquiring section, when the judging sectionjudges that the arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide witheach other, and (iii) controls the storing section to manage thegenerated image as an image acquired by the first acquiring section. 7.The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first acquiringsection and the second acquiring section acquire a still image or amoving image as the image, and wherein the controlling section (i)controls the imaging section such that the second acquiring sectionacquires a moving image satisfying the condition for acquisition at thepreset timing when the first acquiring section acquires a moving image,and (ii) generates a still image satisfying the condition foracquisition at the preset timing from the image acquired by the secondacquiring section.
 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the storing section stores acquired images in relation toinformation indicating whether the images have been acquired by thefirst acquiring section or acquired by the second acquiring section. 9.The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: aplayback output section which outputs and replays images stored in thestoring section such that the image acquired by the first acquiringsection and the image acquired by the second acquiring section areseparately outputted and replayed.
 10. The imaging apparatus accordingto claim 1, further comprising: a playback output section which outputsand replays images stored in the storing section such that the imageacquired by the first acquiring section and the image acquired by thesecond acquiring section are collectively outputted and replayed.
 11. Animage controlling method for an imaging apparatus including an imagingsection, comprising: a first acquiring step of repeatedly acquiring animage by driving the imaging section at preset timing; a secondacquiring step of acquiring an image by driving the imaging section byreceiving an instruction at arbitrary timing, while maintainingacquisition processing in the first acquiring step; a storing step ofstoring the image acquired in the first acquiring step and the imageacquired in the second acquiring step; a judging step of judging whetherthe arbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide with each other; anda controlling step of controlling at least one of imaging by the imagingsection and storing of the image, based on a judgment result in thejudging step.
 12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumhaving stored thereon a program that is executable by a computer in animaging apparatus including an imaging section, the program beingexecutable by the computer to perform functions comprising: firstacquisition processing for repeatedly acquiring an image by driving theimaging section at preset timing; second acquisition processing foracquiring an image by driving the imaging section by receiving aninstruction at arbitrary timing, while maintaining the first acquisitionprocessing; storing processing for storing the image acquired in thefirst acquisition processing and the image acquired in the secondacquisition processing; judgment processing for judging whether thearbitrary timing and the preset timing coincide with each other; andcontrol processing for controlling at least one of imaging by theimaging section and the storing processing, based on a judgment resultin the judgment processing.